Also, I think you missed the point of the episode - that *racism* is a bigger evil in this place and at this time, STILL, than any bug-ugly alien. Krasco's nothing but a whiny white dud*, complaining that black folks has messed up his life (the guy who admits to murdering 2000 people with a smirk) - he's basically a futuristic Space Nazi. The real villain of the episode is racism, and how ugly it makes white people.
And given both the hostile environment engendered in the UK by the shambolic Brexit referrendum, AND the outrageously mainstream casual racism of the US president and GOP, I think the episode was exactly what was needed by both our countries.
(Sorry for multiple replies but since I stopped giving Russia/LJ my money, I don't have an edit button.)
Also, the very fact that Ryan was the one to get rid of Krasco, after being the one most racially oppressed by the shitty white people of Montgomery, was significant. It represents a triumph for him (esp given his confidence issues as a result of his dyspraxia) and I felt as much emotional satisfaction about him sending Krasco off into the far past (esp given K's racist dismissal of Ryan) as I did about Rosa sitting back down in her seat. Both are instances of Black people defying/overcoming white people - and the story needed that, not the Doctor getting rid of Krasco in the first 15 minutes.
No, I get all that, and also how Ryan and Yaz explained that racism is still a problem in the present and they have personally experienced it, and also how it's good that Rosa got to do Rosa without the Doctor giving her some grand speech to inspire her, etc. etc. It handled the racism stuff well. It just didn't handle the Doctor Who stuff well.
And actually, standing solely as a piece on racism, I wish it had gone farther. As an American, I thought it was a big omission to talk about Obama but then not mention Trump. Things may get better, but they don't always stay better, which is a pretty important point to make, too.
Now that you mention it, this episode did feel a lot like an episode of Timeless. I like Timeless, but that style is not necessarily what I expect/want from DW. I can do without the sonic screwdriver for a while, too. I’ll keep watching to see how it goes.
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No, because AFAIK, Chibnall's operating a writers-room approach to this season, hence his co-writing credit with Malorie Blackman.
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And given both the hostile environment engendered in the UK by the shambolic Brexit referrendum, AND the outrageously mainstream casual racism of the US president and GOP, I think the episode was exactly what was needed by both our countries.
But your mileage varies, clearly.
(*Not a typo)
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Also, the very fact that Ryan was the one to get rid of Krasco, after being the one most racially oppressed by the shitty white people of Montgomery, was significant. It represents a triumph for him (esp given his confidence issues as a result of his dyspraxia) and I felt as much emotional satisfaction about him sending Krasco off into the far past (esp given K's racist dismissal of Ryan) as I did about Rosa sitting back down in her seat. Both are instances of Black people defying/overcoming white people - and the story needed that, not the Doctor getting rid of Krasco in the first 15 minutes.
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And actually, standing solely as a piece on racism, I wish it had gone farther. As an American, I thought it was a big omission to talk about Obama but then not mention Trump. Things may get better, but they don't always stay better, which is a pretty important point to make, too.
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